Machine for supporting shoe-uppers.



No. 891,912. Q PATENTED JUNE 30, 1908/.

' L. J. GOURTEAU.

MACHINE FOR SUPPORTING SHOE UPPERS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE '1. 1006.

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Np. 891,912. I PATENTED JUNE 30, 1908.

L. 'J. UOURTEAU.

MACHINE FOR SUPPORTING SHUE UPPERS. APPLICATION FILED J'Unn 7.1906

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LEOPOLD J. OOURTEAU, OF BROOKTON,

SHOE MACHINERY COMPANY, OF PATERSON, NEW

NEW JERSEY.

MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF MACHINE FOR SUPPORTING SHOE-UPPERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 80, 1908.

Application filed June 7, 1906. Serial No. 320,611.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEOPOLD J. COURTEAU, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brockton, in the county of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Machines for Supporting Shoe-Uppers, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to machines for sup porting parts of shoes while they are fitted and secured together, and in particular to machines which support and hold the lining in proper position while the upper is cemented thereto preparatory to stitching these parts together.

The objects of the invention are to facilitate the cementing operation, to prevent wrinkling, and to secure accuracy in positioning the parts with respect to each Other. These objects are accomplished by providing a formblock upon which one of the parts, the lining for instance, is supported and held smoothly in position while another part, the

upper for instance, is cemented thereto. The

form-block has the shape which it is desired the cemented parts shall assume in the finished shoe, and means are provided for holding one of the parts in smooth condition, so that cement may be applied expeditiously to the desired portions, and the other part fitted accurately thereon. If desired the form-block may be rotatably mounted to permit it to be roekedin order that the operator may fit the work more expeditiously.

Referring to the drawings ,-Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine; Fig. 2 is a top plan view; Fig. 3 is a view partly in end. ele vation and partly in section, and Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a base of suitable construction having standards 2 provided with journaled bearings 3. Rotatably mounted in these journaled bearings is a form-block 4 having a shaper 5 which forms its upper portion and which has the contour which it is desired to give to the back portion of the shoe upper and the lining thereof. This shaper is preferably detachably connected to the block in any suitable manner. That shown in the drawings is by means of a dovetail connection 7 and removable screws 8 which are adapted to engage in seats provided therefor in the shaper to prevent its accidental displacement. In a recess 9 in the block is slidingly arranged a head 10 having an annular recess 11. Connected to opposite sides of the block are bearingsl2 in which are pivotally arranged elbow levers 14 carrying a plurality of clamping arms 13 on their outer flattened ends. These clamping arms are preferably made of thin steel and engage the lining at a plurality of places. The inner ends of said levers engage in the re ccss 1] of the sliding head, which is provided with a stem 15 passing out through one of the hollow journal bearings 3. A suitably mounted elbow lever 16 is arranged with one end in operative engagement with said stem and its other end is connected to a treadle 18 by means of a link 1.7. This link is provided with a return spring it). In the recess in which the sliding head moves is a spring 20 which bears against the head at one end and against-an abutment 21 at its other end.

The parts are so arranged that normally the clamping arms are held against the sides of the block by the force exerted by the spring 20. Upon depressing the treadle 18, the sliding head 10 is moved against the tension of the spring 20 and by means of the levers 14 causes the clamping arms to move away from the block. When the treadle is released the spring 20 causes the arms to assume their normal position against the sides of the block. This operation is illustrated in Fig. 2 in which the normal position of the arms is shown in full lines and the open position in dotted lines. Means are provided for rocking the block -ct to enable the operator to fit the work upon the block and smooth it out without moving about the machine or craning his neck for that purose. This is accomplished by means of the drum 22, shown in detail in Fig. 4, which. is mounted or formed on a hub 23 extending from the block and to which a belt 241- is socured at 25. This belt is thus secured near its middle and passes oil the pulley in oppo site directions, its ends being connected with the treadles 26 and 27.

It is designed, according to this invention, that the shaper part of the form-block and that the lining shall be folded over this shaper with its middle rear part resting upon the top and the sides resting against the sides of the block; and that the operator shall, with his 5 shall constitute the upper i hands, smooth out the lining over the shaper and along the sides of the block. By actuating the treadle the operator causes the clamping arms to open to permit the fitting and smoothing out operation to be accomplished after which the treadle is released and the arms automatically engage the lining and hold it in the smoothed-out condition which has been imparted thereto by the operator and maintain it in this condition until the shoe upper has been fitted thereover and the tWo secured together. l/Vhile the lining is held by the clamping arms it is provided along the usual lines or parts with cement. The operator will then place the upper over the lining and smooth it out as was done with the lining, and the upper will become attached to the lining on the portions to which cement is applied. When this has been done the operator will depress the treadle 18 and the clamping arms will move away from the sides of the block, thus releasing the lining, and the latter together with the upper will be removed by the operator. As stated, the block 4 is capable of being rocked in the journal bearings in order that the operator may, without moving around the machine, observe the work while it is progressing, and thus the operation of smoothing out the lining and the upper may be facilitated. This rocking operation may be accomplished, as previously described, by manipulation of treadles 26 and 27.

While in the above description a complete machine has been set forth in detail, it will be understood that various changes may be made in construction and in details without departing from the spirit of this invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a form-block upon which part of a shoe is supported, of means to hold said part in position on said formblock, means for rockin said form-block, and means under the contro of the operator for shifting the holding means with respect to the formblock.

arranged to bear upon said form-block, and

yielding means to hold said arms upon said form-block.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a form-block upon which part of a shoe is supported and means for rocking said form-block, of clamping arms to hold said part in position on said formblock, and a single spring to hold said arms yieldingly upon said form-block.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a rotatably mounted formblock upon which part of a shoe is supported as the shoe is assembled, of means to hold said part in position on said form-block, and means under the control of the operator for rocking the form-block.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a form-block upon which part of a shoe is supported and means for rocking the 'form-block, of means arranged to bear normally upon the form-block to hold said part in position on said form-block, and means under the control of the operator for moving the holding means away from the formblock.

7 In a machine of the class described, the combination with a rotatably mounted formblock upon which part of a shoe is supported as the shoe is assembled, of means to hold said part in position on said form-block, means under the control of the operator for shifting the holding means relatively to the form-block, and means under the control of the operator for rocking the form-block.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination with. a form-block upon which part of a shoe is supported, of a head slidably mounted in a recess in the form-block, a lever pivotally secured to the form-block, one arm of the lever being engaged by said head, clamping arms secured to the other arm of the lever, a spring in said recess arrangedto move said head in one direction, and a treadle arranged to move said head in the opposite direction against the tension of the spring.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a rotatably mounted formblock upon which part of a shoe is supported, of clamping arms to hold said part in position, a drum on said form-block, a belt secured near its middle to said drum, and a pair of treadles to which the ends of said belt are secured for rocking said form-block.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LEOPOLD J. COURTEAU.

Witnesses:

JOHN H. RUoKMAN, CHARLES E. GRUsH. 

